Frightmare Forest to bring Halloween haunts to Susanville once again

What scares you the most? Whatever it is, it may be waiting for you in the heart of Frightmare Forest just like this creepy swamp creature, which was seen scaring the living daylights out of local thrill-seekers during last year’s event.Photo by Maddie Musante

Oct. 8 —October means its time for screams, scares and all kinds of Halloween-themed fun at Frightmare Forest.

The popular haunted forest walk, put on by the Lassen Community College men’s and women’s basketball program, opens Thursday, Oct. 16 and will run from 7:30 to 10 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night until Halloween. It is located at 472-120 Richmond Road in Susanville.

There is small fee per person, and includes admission to the forest, as well as carnival and game play in the barn area.

It’s estimated to take about 30 minutes to complete the entire walk through Frightmare Forest, unless you’re one of the many who runs through screaming.

Flashlights are prohibited, as they ruin the surprise and experience for others.

There will be a restroom on site, as well as refreshments. Parking is also available on site and is free.

All proceeds go to the Lassen Community College basketball program, which uses the annual fundraiser as way to cover the cost of shoes, jerseys, practice gear and equipment.

This is the third year the college basketball teams have put on the spooky forest and it has always been a great success. Part of what keeps the forest thrilling and terrifying is the fact that it is never quite the same from year to year.

“We do not want people to know what to expect. That takes the surprise out of everything we have been working on and planning since last October. I can say that the men and women who will be in the woods are excited and anxious to start scaring,” said Lassen Community College head men’s basketball coach Devin Aye.

“The path through the woods has changed, as well as new ideas to keep it fresh and relevant to what is scary. Each year we have quite a few visitors who are too frightened to finish. With this being said, it is not for the faint of heart, but we do have birthday parties who love it as well and keep coming back. The level of scare depends on each person, and we don’t turn anyone away due to age. We figure you know your limit on what is too scary,” Aye continued.

Games, which will be under the barn canopy, are free and unlimited for anyone to enjoy.

A new addition this year is souvenir Frightmare Forest shirts and hoodies, which will be available to purchase, “so you can bring home memorabilia with your stories and memories,” Aye said.

For more information about Frightmare Forest, visit the event’s Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/339962579472330/.